Panic spreads among Sargiguda villagers following bear sighting in Balangir

08 Nov 2026, 09:49 by Sunita · KalingaTV

Kantabanji: Residents of Sargiguda village are living in terror following bear sightings and damage to crops like sugarcane in Odisha’s Balangir District.

According to reports, bear terror is creating widespread panic among the residents of Sargiguda village under the Turekela block in Bangomunda range in the district. Several farmers have also alleged that their sugarcane crops were destroyed by the bears.

The sighting of the bear are forcing the villager to live their daily life in fear. The villagers said that sometimes the bears head towards the village in the night then they retreat back into the forest at the crack of dawn.

Farmers have demanded compensation, based on an assessment of the damage caused to their crops. The local residents have also called for the bear to be driven back into the deep forest.

Also Read: Wild bear spotted sleeping inside school premises, triggers panic in Koraput